Through The Muck & The Mire: 2013 Cubs Preview - 2012 Review & 2013 Rotation

Year One of the Theo Era went... well, about as planned. A cold April (8-15) led to a quick dump of Marlon Byrd on the hapless Red Sox. May followed with the end of the Blake DeWitt er... Kerry Wood era, leading to further roster instability and a widening gap in the standings. By the end of June, the Cubs were 15 games out and in full sell-off mode. Ryan Dempster, Paul Maholm, and Geovany Soto netted a couple mid-level prospects alongside lottery ticket Arodys Vizcaino at the trade deadline, while the useful Jeff Baker headed out the door soon after. This made room for September callups: Welington Castillo (promising), Brett Jackson (poor), Josh Vitters (worse), and the pitchers (non-existent). The Cubs hit the 101-loss mark to close the season, leaving questions aplenty entering the offseason.

The Kerry Over Effect: How Wood's Retirement Will Reshape the Cubs' Bullpen

Kerry Wood, the monument of everything right about being a Chicago Cub over the last 17 years, is retiring. The Cubs got one last memorable appearance, striking out Dayan Viciedo on three pitches and getting a standing ovation from the crowd and a hug from his son as he walked off the field for the final time.

If this was Alfonso Soriano, the bleacher bums waiting in line on Waveland would already be chugging celebratory Old Styles. But this is Kid K, the man who threw 20 strikeouts in one game in his rookie year, led the Cubs to the NLCS in 2003, and took a hometown discount to come back to Chicago two winters ago. He'll take a spot somewhere in the Cubs organization, likely as an advisor on Jed Hoyer's staff with the possibility of moving into scouting, coaching or an enhanced front office role in future seasons. Regardless of his official role with the team, Wood will always be welcomed back with open arms at Wrigley.

More on Kerry Wood's legacy to come, but after the jump we look at how the move will reshape the Cubs bullpen.